Steelhead fishing on the upper Salmon River remained good over the past week. Angler distribution and effort was similar to the previous week, with the majority of anglers found downstream of North Fork. Drift boat effort was highest above Spring Creek and in location code 16 between North Fork and Salmon. Interviewed anglers in location code 14 downstream of the Middle Fork averaged 12 hours per steelhead caught and 51 hours per steelhead kept. Upstream of the Middle Fork in location code 15, interviewed anglers averaged 17 hours per steelhead caught and 30 hours per steelhead kept. In location code 16, upstream of North Fork, interviewed anglers averaged 14 hours per steelhead caught and 32 hours per steelhead kept. Upstream of the Lemhi River in location code 17, interviewed anglers averaged 10 hours per steelhead caught and 26 hours per steelhead kept
The Salmon River is currently flowing at 1,350 cfs through the town of Salmon, which is 102% of average for today’s date. Rainfall over the weekend caused the river to turn slightly cloudy with water temperatures in the mid to upper 40s.
Brent Beller
Fisheries Technician
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Idaho Department of Fish and Game – Region 7
